We'll need to play a heck of a lot better than that to make it to the Super Bowl.

Unless they failed to score I'm pretty sure shutting out opponents in the playoffs would get them to the Super Bowl.

Seriously, I see your point and they'd probably be hard-pressed to beat some of the best teams in the NFC with that kind of offensive performance unless it was accompanied by a dominant performance from the defense.

It sure looked like the cold weather was impacting the timing in the passing game but maybe they were just having an off night. I agree that the overall offensive performance was underwhelming, although I'd give them a more generous grade than you did because they ran the ball well. It would have been nice to see them finish a couple more drives with TDs rather than FGs.

I'd give the defense an A because I think shutting out any NFL team requires an "A" performance.

My main takeaway is the Vikings took care of business, on the road, in harsh conditions, and put themselves one win away from a guaranteed bye in the first round of the playoffs and hosting the divisional round at home.

The play of the night for me was Keenum scrambling to avoid the Packers rush, looking as if he was going to run, and then fading back to hit David Morgan, who made a nice run after catch to pick up a first down. That was just fun football!

Rewatching highlights this morning, Case had pressure on him nearly every pass and he took some hard hits. And oddly enough Hundley’s protection was great with their patchwork line. Hopefully this was an oddity and not indicative of our future line play.

Bummer to see Easton out for the season. He was also our backup center, so I guess those honors go to Berger now?

Mothman wrote:
I'd give the defense an A because I think shutting out any NFL team requires an "A" performance.

My main takeaway is the Vikings took care of business, on the road, in harsh conditions, and put themselves one win away from a guaranteed bye in the first round of the playoffs and hosting the divisional round at home.

The play of the night for me was Keenum scrambling to avoid the Packers rush, looking as if he was going to run, and then fading back to hit David Morgan, who made a nice run after catch to pick up a first down. That was just fun football!

Agree on giving the defense an A (at least an A-) and your play of the game! Quintessential ‘17 Case Keenum.

Obviously came in with a pretty conservative plan of attack figuring that GB needed to prove they could score. Once they lost Nelson there was really nothing left other than Hundley running around.

Think the cold and bad field conditions threw off some of the timing. Just missed on a few long passes that would have opened things up significantly. With a team on the other side that couldn't do a thing though, running Murray into the pile was not the worst option.

Case needs to be a bit more careful though, he throws 2 or 3 interceptable balls a game and lucky for us they didn't catch any. Special teams were close to giving up some big plays as well.

I think the plan for the front four D was to stop the run and contain Hundley first (which is actually what they're tasked to do in Zimmers system) so you didn't see as strong a pass rush. I think the defense knew the Packers couldn't throw on them and worked to take away the run.

Purple Domination wrote:Rewatching highlights this morning, Case had pressure on him nearly every pass and he took some hard hits. And oddly enough Hundley’s protection was great with their patchwork line. Hopefully this was an oddity and not indicative of our future line play.

Bummer to see Easton out for the season. He was also our backup center, so I guess those honors go to Berger now?

I believe the Vikings DL purposely stayed in front and in their lanes to contain Hundley. But I agree, Keenum was under a lot of pressure throughout the day.

Mothman wrote:The play of the night for me was Keenum scrambling to avoid the Packers rush, looking as if he was going to run, and then fading back to hit David Morgan, who made a nice run after catch to pick up a first down. That was just fun football!

Case is a wizard at feeling pressure and extending plays. That TD pass to Diggs was pretty spectacular too. Such a small window to get Diggs the ball.

It's not unexpected, and actually, it's sort of flattering when you think about it.

When a team is truly having a good season, and winning regularly, and dominating in "most" games, not "every" game, but most.

Suddenly, that dominant team has a minor hiccup, win or lose, and in this case, "still win," but the team does not look dominant, the fans/some fans let the "doubt" seep in. That dominant team is questioned and "dissected" as to how they are once again, beatable.

For me, I still pull for the Vikes "one game at a time," and I appreciate each victory. After all, they still have that "1st" Super Bowl to win, and until they do, I simply pull for my team, but I do not "brag or bash" them, and I certainly do not kick GB when they have a bad season, despite the fact that they are my most hated team of all-time, in all sports. Besides, they've won 4.

People are unreal. game was negative wind chill and they pitched a shutout. I saw a stat flash up on fb, all time , winning teams in games played below zero or zero wind chill , winning teams are only averaging like 15 points or some ####. Cant remember the exact number. Anytime a game is played in these kinds of temps, don't expect much. And it doesn't happen very often.

The one negative I saw in this was shurmurs mind boggling hardheadedness running the ball up the middle when it clearly wasn't working. one time he puts jet in, pitches it to the outside, he gets 15 yards and right back to between the tackles. Makes no sense.

And case was off. I know it was freezing but he overthrew a ton of deep balls. Two to treadwell, overthrew diggs twice, overthrew thielen on an easy TD.

I'm going to react to all of week 16, and be the first to announce this. We are the #1 defense with respect to points against now. Going into the week, the Jaguars were 33 points ahead of us. But we blanked the Pack, and the Jags have give up 37 (thirty frigging seven!) to the 49ers so far. So we have a 4 point lead now.